Chapter five:
Kaoru gasps as he is brought into the clearing by his friends seeing all that they had set up just for him.
There is a stage with a backstage area hidden and easy to access should Kaoru get too nervous about it all. The stage looks well made and is decorated with some nice ribbons of blue, purple and black. The curtains are red with golden colored ropes to help bind them into place. It isn't big allowing Kaoru to move away and escape quickly if his stage freight got the best of him. There is also some lights facing the front of the stage yet also angled upwards. The seats in front of the stage are set up with only a seat and back rests allowing for them to quickly get up if Kaoru needs them if he gets too scared. There is some stairs leading to the back of the stage.
The clearing is surrounded by trees and the grass is green and healthy. It also is far enough that even if anyone was around they likely wouldn't be close enough to hear without going through the nature path.
"I made sure that the lights were set up so it can block your view of the audience area if it will make you feel more comfortable." Kyouya pushes up his glasses on his face actually sounding proud of himself for doing that. "You can decide how your stage will be set up before stepping out. Also we can have someone turn on the lights for you if you start to get too nervous. Just so this way it can all be perfect the way that you want it to be."
"This is so exciting!" Tamaki does a little hop clearly having trouble keeping himself contained. "I am so glad that you are letting us be in on your little secret."
"Don't overwhelm Kaoru-Chan!" Hunny complains moving closer to Kaoru. He blinks innocently up at the younger twin who he is actually closer to than Hikaru; despite that it doesn't change that he cares for them in equal ways. "Do you feel ready for this?" He asks and Kaoru looks from his friend to the stage again.
"As ready as I'll ever be." Kaoru admits and gets a hug from all of his friends.
"You'll do great. I know you will." Hikaru informs him.
"Plus it's us. Only us. You know that we would never judge you even if things get messed up." Haruhi adds her own comforting words.
"Whatever you need to help you through your fear we will be ready to aide you!" Tamaki also adds with his charming smile that Kaoru knows is his attempt to comfort him.
"We did our best to make sure that things can be set to help you even forget that we are even there. If that'll make you more comfortable." Kyouya also can't help but add his own words.
"Yeah! And we'll support you through it all. No matter what." Hunny adds with Mori making agreeing sounds to that.
"Thank you." Kaoru is so grateful to have such wonderful friends.
A little later…
Kaoru is in the back with Hunny and Haruhi.
Hikaru decided to make sure to know how to use all of the features especially the lights. He doesn't mind being in the back area watching from behind to be able to activate things quicker if he sees Kaoru getting too scared. He also wants to be there right away if Kaoru runs away so he can comfort the other without taking the time to run to the back of the stage.
Kyouya is showing Hikaru the ins and outs of the set up system.
The others are waiting in the seats letting things get ready.
Kaoru keeps shifting nervously despite that Haruhi is working to attach a small microphone to his clothes.
Haruhi pulls away giving up for a moment since Kaoru clearly can't stay still long enough. "Are you sure you're ready?" She inquires causing the other to turn to her then glance away.
"I don't know anymore." Kaoru admits twisting his hands together as his heart is racing due to how nervous he is currently feeling. He returns the hug that Hunny gives to him at hearing this.
"There is no shame in backing down if you aren't ready." Haruhi places a hand on Kaoru's shoulder as the other tries to stay still. "I know that you know that we won't judge you if you don't think you can do this after all." She tells him though Hunny speaks up before she can continue to say anything else.
"Kaoru. I just want you to know that I believe in you." Hunny meets Kaoru's gaze as the other looks to him. He offers his friend a smile. "I can understand it being really scary. However I know that you can be super brave. At least try one song. If you're not feeling it that's okay. At least you tried."
"Well that isn't a bad idea." Haruhi hums to this and Kaoru turns to look to her. "Once you get through the first or second one it might not seem so scary anymore. We could start with the lights on then have a signal for when you'd like to try without them if you want. It'll probably make it less scary than before. You can just pretend that it is just you there doing it to no one until you think you're ready to see us watching you."
Kaoru glances away to look straight ahead though his eyes end up flickering all around him to the backstage area that is set up with ways to help if needed.
There is a couch if needed, a spot for clothes to hang, a change room, the place is spacious and obvious exit ways likely a way to help someone not feel trapped and panic more, the lights have a dimming feature so it can be set to however bright or dark Kaoru might need it to calm himself, and Hikaru had even brought one of Kaoru's secret comfort items which is a blue weighted turtle plush which currently sits on a small end table by the couch.
Kaoru closes his eyes softly taking in a breath then letting it out clearly trying to get some calming energy into himself. He opens his eyes when he breathes normally again after that breath. "I think I can do this." He confirms and from the corner of his eyes spots the glad looks from the two. "No lights."
Haruhi blinks at this. "Are you sure? You're already super nervous." She stops as the younger twin looks to her.
"Yes. You're my friends. Such close friends I consider you part of my family. If I can trust anyone to be able to see them while I do this for the first time I'd rather it be you all." Kaoru doesn't miss the smiles from the two at hearing this. "Plus I think that maybe seeing you all encouraging me might help me feel less nervous about it all."
"Kyouya is going to be upset that his work on the lights is going to be all for nothing." Hunny jokes clearly knowing that Kaoru could use a little laughter.
Kaoru does chuckle a bit at hearing this. "Well don't be so quick to say that." He pats Hunny on the head who almost seems to make a happy chirp at this. "I might still get too scared and get those things turned on anyways."
"So a signal that Hikaru will know to activate the lights?" Haruhi pushes and Kaoru turns giving her a nod. "Alright. Well lets get your microphone on first." She finally is glad that Kaoru is able to stand still long enough to be able to get the microphone set up. She moves away after that and she holds up her hands. "Here. What about this to show that the lights are needed?" She does a small signal with her hand almost like a few slow sign language signs. "Or you could do this." She raises up three fingers and leaning them sideways waves them back and forth.
"The second one. It is easier to remember." Kaoru confirms copying the action to ensure that he remembers.
"Okay." Haruhi nods clearly glad that it is set up. "I will go inform Hikaru for you." She heads off to go do so.
"Oh. And one more thing Kaoru." Hunny pulls away from the hug as Kaoru turns to him curiously. He pulls out a pin that he attaches on Kaoru's outfit in the perfect spot. "There."
Kaoru looks to it and smiles softly seeing a small pink bunny silicone feeling, he raised a hand to gently touch it, pin that is securely attached to him. He can feel the encouragement and care from having such a small item on him. "It's perfect." He shares a smile with Hunny who grins at him upon hearing this. "I'll see you out there." He shares another hug with the other who then heads off to join the seats. He glances to Kyouya who walks past only to pause to turn to him.
"You've got this. We all know that you do." Kyouya tells him getting an appreciative nod from Kaoru before he continues off to get to the seats.
Kaoru does feel better with his friends support. He heads to go to where Hikaru is and now for the first time he can see the stage even if he isn't visible to anyone out there yet. He feels his nervousness rise again though he looks away to see Haruhi who puts a hand on his shoulder. He nods softly that he has got this so she heads off to go to the seats as well. He turns to his brother who looks a little worried yet proud too.
"You look great." Hikaru tells Kaoru who glances to himself in his outfit. He chuckles softly and reaches into his jacket pocket. "I think that it is just missing one more thing."
Kaoru turns to his brother and lets the other mess with his hair a little. He is shown a handheld mirror that Hikaru had hidden off to the side. He sees that Hikaru had added a hair clip that looks to be a snap hair clip decorated with Kaoru's favorite gemstones being the moonstone. His bangs are pushed back and held in place by the clip.
"What do you think? I got it awhile ago. I was going to give it to you another time however I think that this is a great time to give this to you."
Kaoru hugs his brother happily with the two of them smiling. "It is fantastic!" He confirms with Hikaru returning the hug.
After the hug Hikaru puts away the mirror. "So. You ready?"
"I think so." Kaoru turns towards the stage and takes a calming breath before turning on his microphone like Haruhi had shown him.
"Good luck." Hikaru says quiet enough that only Kaoru can hear him not rushing him out.
Kaoru nods then takes his first step onto the stage with his heart pounding in his chest. He silently tells himself that he can do this.
If his friends believe in him then he can believe in himself too.